Teen sisters struck by car walking to Middleton High

Tampa police are investigating a crash in which two teenage sisters were struck by a car, one critically, while walking to Middleton High School. JIM REED/STAFF

Two teenage sisters were struck by a car and injured — one critically — while walking to Middleton High School on Tuesday morning, Tampa police said.

The girls, ages 14 and 15, were hit about 7:15 a.m. while crossing Hillsborough Avenue at 25th Street, near Middleton, where they are students, police said.

Norma Velasquez-Cabrera, 15, is in critical condition, and her sister, 14-year-old Victoria Velasquez-Cabrera, is listed in stable condition.

It was dark and the driver, a Hillsborough High School student, did not see the sisters, who were not in a crosswalk, police said.

“It does not appear the driver is at fault,” police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

The driver, 17-year-old Deja Johnson, was not injured, police said.

At Tuesday’s school board meeting, board members said the district should look at working with law enforcement to come up with some sort of a campaign centered around pedestrian safety. Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said she will look into what can be done and report back to the board.